Shoe actuating means for automatic flatplate ironers



. 5. DAYTON 2,599,238

SHOE ACTUATING MEANS FOR AUTOMATIC FLATPLATE IRONERS June 3, 1952 Filed Dec. 2, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 .Illllll' LJI lnvntor" Car-[SL351 ton,

y His Attorney.

SHOE ACTUATING MEANS FOR AUTOMATIC FLATPLATE IRONERS Filed Dec; 2, 1949 C. S. DAYTON June 3, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inven tor: Carl SDayt n,

His Act or-ney.

J 3, 1952 c. s. DAYTON 2,599,238

SHOE ACTUATING MEANS FOR AUTOMATIC FLATPLATE IRONERS Filed Dec. 2, i949 3 Sheets-Sheet s IhventoP: Carl SDayton,

His Attorney;

Patented June 3, 19 52 UNITED STAS ICE SHOE ACTUATIN G MEANS FOR AUTOMATIC FLATPLATE IRONERS Carl. S. Dayton, Bridgeport, Conn, assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York 6 Claims.

lfhis invention relates to laundry ironin machines of the flatplate type, and particularly to an improved shoe operating mechanism for bringing a pressing shoe into and out of operating relationship with a padded surface on which the items to be pressed have been laid.

The currently popular flatplate domestic ironing machines generally employ a flat padded structure, commonly known as a buck, on which the clothes are placed, and a heated pressing shoe hingedly mounted relative to the buck and adapted to be brought over the buck in spaced relation therewith. Then, by suitable motor means, the buck and the shoe arev brought together to press the article therebetween. In some, types of machine the pressure engagement is effected by driving the buck upwardly against the previously positioned shoe; hence there are two major elements which must be driven.

It is a principal object of my invention to eliminate the, necessity of driving or moving the buck, and to this end I provide a novel shoe actuator which is effective automatically to bring the shoe from a reclined position to an intermediate stage over the buck and then to draw the shoe downwardly to effect the ironing pressure, all in asmooth, substantially continuous motion. Not only does the stationary buck of my invention eliminate the necessity of driving one relatively heavy part but it contributes to better operational results by affording less opportunity for the; clothes or articles to become displaced once they have been smoothly laid on the buck.

My improved shoe mounting and actuating mechanism also accomplishes the further objectives of improving the directions of travel and force application of the shoe so as to eliminate unfavorable moment arms which would necessitate much stronger frame structures, and of keeping the operation of all moving parts within the plan viewoutlines of the machine.

In a presently preferred embodiment of the invention I mount a parallelogram linkage on a main framework below the buck and pivotally aflix a shoe carriage to an element of such linkage. A restraining link pivotally connected between the shoe carriage and the frame provides a fulcrum point about which the carriage swings as the linkage is rotated. By an arrangement hereinafter described in detail, the shoe will swingfrom a reclined position to one over the buck, and then be drawn downwardly thereagainst.

The parallelogram linkage may be driven by a motor mechanically connected therewith-for example, by gearing or cams-e-but I prefer to use hydraulic power. I have found that overtravel problems are minimized by hydraulic motor-operation, and whereas a geared or cammed drive requires the operator to complete the operatin cycle once it has been initiated, a hydraulic motor, as will hereinafter appear, permits the shoe to be returned to its retracted position at any time after it has commenced to rise.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification read in connection with the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation, partially in section, showing a presently preferred embodiment of my invention with the shoe in reclined position; Fig. 2 is a partial front elevation of the machine of Fig. 1; Figs. 3 and 4. are views similar to Fig. l but showing the shoe respectively above and in pressure contact with the buck; and Figs. 5 and 6 are sectional elevations of' the hydraulic drive mechanism, Fig. 5 showing the position of the hydraulic motor when the ironing machine is in its Fig. 1 position and Fig. 6 showing the motor when it has brought the shoe into ironing position.

Referring now to Fig. l I have shown so much of a domestic fiatplate ironing machine as is necessary for an understanding of the invention. A typical machine may include a rigid frame! of suitably reinforced sheet metal, providing a table-like structure having a back wall 2, front walls 3 which define a knee space or opening, and a top surface 4. The top surface may have an inclined portion on which is supported a padded structure or buck 5 in an angular relation sloping toward the operator. For cooperation with said buck I provide a conventional shoe 6 having a'smooth ironing surface '1 co-extensive with the area of the buck. As is well known to those in the art, the shoe 6 has heating elements, usually electric resistance devices, to bring the shoe to a desired ironing temperature. The shoe is carried on a rigid arm or carriage 8 which projects downwardly through a suitable opening If! in the table top and is pivotally supported below the table top as hereinafter specifically described.

It is a feature of the invention that the shoe may be brought from its reclined position of Fig. l to a position of parallelism with respect to the buck 5 shown in Fig. 3 and then without noticeable interruption of motion pressed downwardly against the buck to press the articles spread thereon. Such composite movement eliminates the necessity of also driving the buck, as in ironupper and lower link arms l4, [5.

ing machines in which the shoe is merely brought to a position overlying the buck and the latter is driven upwardly into pressure contact. I have .found that a parallelogram linkage in combination with a lost motion restraining link provides a particularly satisfactory method of driving the shoe. An incidental advantage of commercial importance is that such an arrangement provides a shifting shoe carriage pivot efiective to confine all movements of the shoe and its carriage within the relatively compact plan view outlines of the machine. In other words, where with a fixed pivot the shoe arm at some point during its rotation may project beyond such plan view outlines, the shifting pivot introduces a compound movement which may be described as a fold in on itself motion of the shoe carriage.

Broadly speaking, I drive the carriage arm 8 by a structural member guided for primarily rectllinear movement normal to the plane of the buck; the carriage 8 is pivotally attached to said member and fulcrum means engaging with the arm provide the pivot about which the carriage swings. To avoid fixed trackways or guides for controlling the motion of such a member, and to reduce frictional losses inherent in sliding members, I prefer to employ a parallelogram linkage as aforesaid, and accordingly, I mount on the rear frame panel 2 or equivalent structure, pairs of upper and lower pivot brackets, respectively I 1, l2, which pivotally carry the respective pairs of The arms M and I5 are of equal length and the upper and lower arm of each pair are joined by a rigid link member I6. It will be noted that the plane of the pivotal connections of the link I6 is normal to the plane of the surface of the buck 5. The carriage 8 ispivotally associated with the linkage, as by mounting its extremities on upper pivots H. To enforce rotation of the carriage when the links l6 are driven upwardly or downwardly I provide pairs of rigid links I8 which pivotally attach to the carriage B at pivots l9 and to brackets 29 aflixed to the rear wall 2. Pivots 49 provide fulcrums for rotation of the carriage 3, which is thus constituted as a first order lever. For

reasons hereinafter appearing the link l8 has a lost motion arrangementfor example, a slot 2! at the pivotal attachment to bracket 20. The limits of rotation of the carriage 8 are established by the pivot stuclof bracket and by a stop 22 projecting from a rearwardly extending arm 23 of the linkage members [6 to overlie the edges of said carriage 8 and engageable thereby as the shoe 6 comes into position above the buck. A spring 24 secured between a shaft 25 on the underside of the table top 4 and the pivot ll of the linkage serves always to bias the parallelogram linkage upwardly relative to the table top, and a spring 25 secured between the limit stud 22 and a stud on link l8 serves always to draw the link l8 upwardly relative to the bracket 20. With the shoe in the retracted position of Fig. 1, spring 26 is under substantial tension and holds the link 18 to prevent fulcrum l9 from following link downwardly during the early movement of carriage 8 while affording link l8 sufficient freedom to rotate counterclockwise of Fig. 1 as pivot I! descends.

It will be observed that in order to bring the shoe 6 from its Fig. 1 to its Fig. 3 position it is necessary to rotate the parallelogram linkage clockwise with respect to said figures. The motive power is advantageously of the hydraulic type generally disclosed in United States Patent No. 2,135,266, granted November 1, 1938, to George W. Wardwell, Jr. Said motor is somewhat schematically shown herein in Figs. 5 and 6, and reference to the patent is made for a more detailed description. As herein embodied, the motor includes a cylinder 30 having a pair of lugs 3| extending axially from the bottom wall for rotational support on a shaft 32 which comprises a lower pivot of the parallelogram linkage, and within the cylinder is a combined piston and hydraulic pressure generator 33. The latter device includes a cylindrical casing provided with upper and lower piston rings 34, 35 and contaln= ing a motor 36 the shaft 37 of which projects through arelatively large opening 33 forming the inflow port of an impeller chamber 33 defined by plate members 40, 4|. A conventional impeller pump 42 is aflixed to the end of the motor shaft. The cylinder 30 has a permanent charge of liquid, for example a light mineral oil, occupying the cylinder to substantially the level designatedO. L. in Fig. 5. The walls of the piston casing have a plurality of apertures 43 through which oil flows to the inlet port 38 of the pump chamber. The piston structure 33 fixedly carries a cap 44 having a boss 45 through which extends the shaft 25 rotatably supported in suitable brackets 46 fixed to the underside of the table top. It will be noted by comparison of Figs. 1 and 2 that the shaft 25 is in the center plane of the padded ironing element 5 and is centered with respect to the arm 8.

Any conventional switch controlled circuit may be employed to energize motor 36 and power the impeller 42 driven thereby. Liquid under pressure is discharged through the plurality of openings 48 in the piston head plate 4| thereby building up substantial hydraulic pressure in the chamber 50 beneath said plate. The piston is fixed relative to the frame, and the thrust effect of the hydraulic pressure causes a downward projection of the cylinder 30 with thrust on the shaft 32 to enforce the clockwise rotation of the parallelogram linkage. Desirably the cylinder is provided with 'a pressure relief bypass 5! controlled by a spring biased ball valve or equivalent 52 so that if after a slight displacement of the cylinder 30 sufficient to uncover the bypass port 53 there is'encountered abnormal resistance suflicient to unseat valve 52, the hydraulic pressure will be expended through the passage 5| to the upper side of the piston head and the unit will be restrained against further movement.

With the apparatus initially in its Fig. 1 position it will be assumed that articles to be pressed have been spread on the buck 5 and a conventional foot pedal or equivalent switch (not shown) is actuated to energize the motor. The downward thrust of cylinder 39 will drive the parallelogram linkage downwardly, but the re traction of springs 26 supports the pivot points I9 relative to pivots ll, and thus the carriage 8 is rotated clockwise even though the drive linkage is similarly rotating. Spring 26 supports the pivot l9 until the carriage 8 engages the stop 22, at which time the shoe 6 will have come into position above the buck 5. In such position the center of gravity of the shoe 6 relative to pivot ll maintains the carriage 8 contact with the stop 22 and the parallelogram linkage and the car= riage will move as a unit as link l6 continues its downward travel. It should be noted that in the final stages of operation the downward movement of the shoe into pressing relationship with the buck is permitted by the lost motion arrange- ,5 m'ent ofilink': I83. Said link serves additionally to: steady the structure during downward movement. As appears in Figs. 3 and 4 the lineof movement of the link i6 is substantially in the plane of the axis of the cylinder 30 and is conconsider it advisable to follow known p'raotfoes of mounting the buck to permit a limited ad j ustability with respect to the shoe and accordingly' pivotally afiix the buck frame to the table topby'arelativ'ely loose pivot 54 associated with cooperating bracket members as shown. Resilient support of the buck may conveniently be accomplished by the matched pressure springs 55, which serve as supports maintaining the plane of the buck in desired angular relationship.

An advantage of the hydraulic motor drive is that the operation of the ironer may be interrupted at any mid-point merely by opening the circuit of motor 36; the spring mounting of the shoe carriage and parallelogram linkage will induce-a counterclockwise rotation serving to drive the piston 30 upwardly relative to the fixed cylinder 33'. Fluid which is within the cylinder space 50 will follow back through the ports it and the pump inflow 38 to return to its normal position above. the piston head- There are no overtravel problems associated with the hydraulic drive. i If unusually bulky articles are being pressed that substantial resistance is encountered earlier than a normal operational stage of the shoe the 12m peller will rotate idly within the pump housing and its forces will be expended within the pump housing.

The return of the ironer from the Fig. 4 to the Fig. 1 positions is accomplished automatically by merely opening the motor circuit and permitting the spring reactions to lift the shoe and swing it to its open position. Because of the lost motion provision of link IS the first motion of the shoe will be directly upwardly to a stage just beyond that represented by Fig. 3 at which the end of slot 2| will engage with its pivot pin. Continued upward movement of the link It causes the link i8 to effect the return rotation of the carriage arm, as will be obvious.

While I have shown a particular embodiment of my invention, it will be understood, of course, that I do not wish to be limited thereto since many modifications may be made; and I therefore contemplate by the appended claims to cover any such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a domestic ironing machine having a frame, a buck supported thereby, and a shoe for cooperation with said buck for pressing articles laid thereon, the improvement in means for propelling said shoe from a retracted position into pressing relation with said buck comprising a parallelogram linkage in which the fixed link includes a frame element and the respectively opposite link is arranged for movement normal to the plane of the buck, a substantially U-shaped arm carrying the shoe at one end thereof and pivotally attached at its other end to a movable element of said linkage, means for driving said linkage. in one or another direction relative tcrsaidbuck, means including a rigid link: pivotally afffixed to said arm and to said frame to provide a fulcrum for rotation of said arm relative to. said linkage upon movement of; the latter, said rigid link having lost motion. means afiording lateral movement relative to the frame, meansfor supporting said rigid" link to maintain the fulcrum substantially against displacement in one direction of linkage movement, and stop meanson said linkage engageable with said shoe. arm to establish a limit of rotation thereof, whereupon further movement. of said linkage in said one direction carries the arm and its associated shoe memher normal to the plane of the buck.

2. In a domestic ironing machine having a frame, a buck'supported thereby, and a shoe for cooperation with, said buck for pressing articles laid thereon, the improvement in means: for pro polling said shoe from a retracted position into pressing relation with said buck comprising a linkage system supported by a frame element: and including a drive link member arranged for movement primarily normal to the plane of the buck, a substantially U-shaped arm carrying the shoe at one end thereof and pivotally attached at its other end to an end of said drive link member, means for driving said link member in one or another direction relative to said buck, means including a rigid link pivotally aflixed to said arm andto said frame to provide a fulcrum for rotation of said arm relative to said linkage upon movement of the latter; said rigid link including means affording lateral movement of said arm relative to the frame, means for supporting; said rigid link to maintain the fulcrum substantially against displacement in one direction of drive movement, and stop means engageable with, said shoe arm to establish a limit of rotation thereof, whereupon further movement of said drive link in said one direction carries the arm and its associated shoe member normal to the plane of the buck.

3. In a domestic ironing machine having a frame, a buck supported thereby, and a shoe for cooperation with said buck for pressing articles laid thereon, the improvement in means for propelling said shoe from a retracted position into pressing relation with said buck comprising a parallelogram linkage supported by said frame and having a link member constrained for movement primarily normal to the plane of the buck, a substantially U-shaped arm carrying the shoe at one end thereof and pivotally attached at its other end to a movable element of said linkage. means for driving said linkage in one or another direction relative to said buck, means providing a fulcrum for rotation of said arm relative to said linkage upon movement of the latter, said fulcrum being yieldably supported relative to the frame to maintain the fulcrum substantially against displacement in one direction of linkage movement, and stop means on said linkage engageable with said shoe arm to establish a limit of rotation thereof, whereupon further movement of said linkage in said one direction carries the arm and its associated shoe member normal to the plane of the buck.

i. In a domestic ironing machine having a frame, a buck supported thereby, and a shoe for cooperation with said buck for pressing articles laid thereon, the improvement in means for propelling said shoe from a retracted position into pressing relation with said buck comprising means including a drive link carried within said frame for movement relative to the buck, a substantially U-shaped arm carrying the shoe at one end thereof and pivotally attached at its other end to said drive link, means for driving said link in one or another direction relative to said buck, means including a tie member pivotally interconnecting said arm and said frame to enforce rotation of said arm upon movement of said drive link in one direction, means including a rigid link pivotally affixed to said arm and to said frame to provide a fulcrum for rotation of said arm relative to said drive link upon movement of the latter, said rigid link having lost motion means affording lateral movement relative to the frame, tension spring means carried by said drive link for supporting said rigid link to maintain the fulcrum substantially against displacement in one direction of linkage movement, and stop means to establish a limit of rotation of said arm, whereupon further movement of said drive link in said other direction carries the arm and its associated shoe member as a unit toward the buck.

5. In a domestic ironing machine, a frame, a buck supported thereby, a shoe for cooperation with said buck for pressing articles laid thereon, and means for propelling said shoe from a retracted position into pressing relation with said buck, comprising a member supported Within said frame for predominantly rectilinear travel normal to the plane of the buck, a substantially U-shaped arm carrying the shoe at one end thereof and pivotally attached at its other end to said member, means engaging with said arm remote from its pivotal connection with said mem her for providing a fulcrum about which said arm will rotate upon movement of said member, means for driving said member in a direction to produce the desired direction of rotation of said arm, stop means carried by said member and en gageable with said arm for limiting rotation thereof and thereupon effecting a shift of said fulcrum in the line of movement of said. member whereby said member and said arm may travel rectilinearly as a unit after rotation of said arm has been interrupted.

6. In a domestic ironing machine, a frame, a buck supported thereby, a shoe for cooperation with said buck for pressing articles laid thereon, and means for propelling said shoe from a retracted position into pressing relation with said buck, comprising a member supported by said frame below said buck for travel normal to the plane of the buck, a substantially U-shaped arm carrying the shoe at one end thereof and pivotally attached at its other end to said member, means including a rigid link engaging with said arm remote from its pivotal connection with said 'member to provide a fulcrum for effecting rotation of said arm upon movement of said member, said rigid link having lost motion means affording movement normal to the plane of said buck, means for driving said member in a direction to produce the desired direction of rotation of said arm, means for limiting rotation of said arm, said limiting means being effective upon continued movement of said member to displace said fulcrum means in the line of movement of said member whereby said member and said arm may travel rectilinearly as a unit after rotation of said arm has been interrupted.

CARL S. DAYTON. 1

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Ledbetter Apr. 21, 1931 Number 

